Middle East

World Bank Calls for Stronger Economies as US-Iran Ceasefire Fragile, Oil Rises

This is Beirut 12:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

The World Bank on Thursday called on countries in the Middle East and North Africa to strengthen economic resilience and governance in the wake of ongoing regional crises. “The current crisis is a stark reminder of the work ahead for the region: not only to weather shocks but also to rebuild more resilient economies with stronger macroeconomic ...

Iran's Envoy Deletes Post on Delegation Arrival in Islamabad for U.S. Talks

This is Beirut 12:10 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Iran's ambassador to Pakistan deleted a social media post saying an Iranian delegation would arrive in Islamabad on Thursday night, a move an embassy official later told AFP had been sent prematurely. Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam said in a post on X on Thursday morning that an Iranian delegation would arrive "tonight in Islamabad for serious ...

Israeli Minister Calls Iran Ceasefire a ‘Mistake,’ Questions Its Durability

This is Beirut 12:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli has criticized the ceasefire with Iran as a “mistake,” casting doubt on its durability while defending Israel’s military gains in the conflict. Chikli, a member of the ruling Likud party, said, “I think it was a mistake to go to a ceasefire at this time,” arguing that adversaries like ...

Hezbollah Chief's Secretary Assassinated In Beirut Strike

This is Beirut 11:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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The IDF said it assassinated Ali Youssef Harshi in Beirut on Wednesday, the personal secretary of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem. In an official statement, the Israeli military confirmed the killing of Harshi, describing him as a key figure within Hezbollah and a close associate of its leadership. Who Was the Target? According to ...

Trump Says U.S. Military to Stay Deployed Near Iran Until 'Real Agreement' Reached

This is Beirut 09:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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U.S. President Donald Trump said late Wednesday that U.S. forces deployed near Iran would remain stationed in the area until a "real agreement" is reached, as Washington enters a fragile two-week ceasefire with Tehran. The truce reached Tuesday showed signs of unravelling, with Israel bombarding Lebanon and Washington contradicting some of Iran's ...

Iran Announces Alternative Routes in Hormuz Strait

This is Beirut 07:05 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Iran announced alternative routes on Thursday for ships travelling through the Strait of Hormuz, citing the risk of sea mines in the main zone of the vital waterway. Tehran has agreed to temporarily reopen the strait, through which one-fifth of the world's oil usually passes, as part of a two-week truce. "All ships intending to transit ...

U.S.-Iran Truce Hangs in Balance as War Flares in Lebanon

This is Beirut 01:40 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

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The fragile two-week truce between Iran and the United States was hanging in the balance on Wednesday, with Tehran threatening to resume hostilities as Israel launched a major bombardment of Lebanon. Washington and Tehran both claimed victory after agreeing to a two-week ceasefire and negotiations aimed at ending a war that has killed thousands ...

Panic in Lebanon as Israel Carries Out Most Violent Strikes on Capital

This is Beirut 01:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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Israeli strikes on Lebanon Wednesday killed 182 people and wounded 890, according to an initial toll from authorities, with the capital Beirut hit by the most violent bombardment since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel announced Wednesday it did not consider Lebanon covered by the Iran-US truce announced ...

Hegseth Hails Iran Victory as U.S. Military Presence Continues

This is Beirut 08/04 18:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that American forces have achieved a “historic and overwhelming victory” against Iran, while stressing that U.S. troops will remain deployed in the region to ensure compliance with a tentative peace agreement. Speaking at a Pentagon press conference, Hegseth underscored that despite President ...

Lebanon Calls for International Intervention Against Israeli Strikes

This is Beirut 08/04 16:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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Nawaf Salam on Wednesday issued an urgent appeal to the international community, calling on Lebanon’s allies to intervene as Israeli airstrikes continue to expand across the country, including densely populated areas of the capital. The appeal comes as Lebanon finds itself increasingly isolated from a broader de-escalation framework ...

Israel Launches Unprecedented Assault on Beirut and Across Lebanon

This is Beirut 08/04 15:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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Israel launched its most intense and coordinated wave of airstrikes on Lebanon since the start of the war on Wednesday, hitting more than 100 targets across the country, including densely populated areas of Beirut, just hours after a U.S.-Iran ceasefire was announced. The strikes, carried out over 10 minutes, mark a major escalation and highlight ...

Israel Maintains Strikes on Lebanon Despite U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

This is Beirut 08/04 13:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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Israel continued airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Wednesday, even as it confirmed a halt to military operations against Iran under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The move comes amid reports that Hezbollah has suspended its attacks for now, creating an asymmetrical reality on the Lebanese front where Israeli operations persist. Despite this ...